Jozy Altidore convinces ref to play on despite racist chants

AZ Alkmaar forward Jozy Altidore convinced the referee not to abandon his club’s Dutch Cup quarter-final, despite him being the target of racial abuse.

The US international was the subject of ‘monkey noises’ made by Den Boscha fans in the first-half of AZ’s 5-0 win over the second-tier side, but Altidore and his team-mates persuaded referee Reinold Wiedemeijer not to stop the match.

‘It’s a bit disappointing that these things still happen in this time that we’re in,’ Altidore said.

‘But what you going to do? You just hope these people can find a way to improve themselves. You can only pray for them.’

AZ soccer director Earnie Stewart, a former U.S. national team midfielder, told Dutch television: ‘You hear that and wonder what on earth is going on.

‘It is terribly sad that this can happen for those involved and for lovers of football in the Netherlands.’

Den Bosch issued a statement on their official website branding those fans who abused him ‘hooligans’ and saying they had ‘ruined the week-long preparation by the club, supporters and volunteers’ to get the game on despite the bad weather.

They said the club was ‘upset and disappointed’ at the abuse which left ‘scars’ on the club.

Ghanaian midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng walked off the field during AC Milan’s friendly at Italian fourth tier side Pro Patria, following racist chants on 3 January.

A Serie A disciplinary commissioner ruled that his actions broke league rules but the midfielder would not be punished.